Peter Andre's wife Emily defends 17-year age gap

Emily Andre has spoken out to defend big age gaps in relationships, calling age 'completely irrelevant'.

The 28-year-old doctor, who is 17 years younger than husband Peter Andre, 45, addressed the age gap issue in her OK! column this week.

Discussing the recent news that Hollywood actor Richard Gere is going to be a father again at 69 with his 35-year-old wife, Alejandra Silva, she said: 'They have faced some criticism. I think that age is just a number.

'If you are compatible then your age is completely irrelevant. Pete and I always joke that I act a few years older and he acts a few years younger so we meet in the middle.'

'In the past I've read people criticising me and Pete, whether it’s the age difference or our appearance, and I find it hard when people say I’m too young to be with him – my skin is not thick enough and I find it very upsetting.'

Emily shares two children – Amelia, four, and one-year-old Theodore – with Peter, who she married back in 2015. She is also stepmum to his two children with ex-wife Katie Price, 13-year-old Junior and Princess, 11.